NATO
NATO summit concludes amid criticism of bloc's aggression
Twenty-two NATO members on Thursday agreed to launch the NATO Innovation Fund, a multi-sovereign venture capital fund that will invest 1 billion euros ($1.05 billion) in startups and other venture capital funds developing emerging technologies for both civilian and military use. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the fund's signing ceremony that it would help transform NATO's security environment and strengthen its innovation ecosystem, Xinhua news agency reported.
NATO declares China as a security threat for the first time
NATO's new 10-year strategic blueprint, agreed to by leaders at a summit in Spain on Thursday morning (AEST), called out the rising Asian power for conducting "malicious" cyber operations, for its strategic partnership with Russia, rapidly expanding nuclear arsenal and its efforts to dominate key supply chains, Sydney Morning Herald reported.
Ukrainian President urges more defence, financial aid at NATO summit
In his speech, Zelensky on Wednesday said that Ukraine needs modern missile and air defence systems to protect its cities, and artillery to stand against Russia on the battlefields, Xinhua news agency reported. Financial support for Ukraine is no less important than aid with weapons, he said, adding that his country needs nearly $5 billion per month for defence and protection.
NATO summit opens amid controversy, internal discord
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that the leaders had decided to "transform and strengthen" the alliance at a "pivotal time for our security". The decisions include strengthening NATO's forward defenses, enhancing the bloc's battlegroups on its eastern flank, and increasing the number of high readiness forces to more than 300,000, the NATO chief said.
Chinese envoy urges NATO not to fan block confrontation using Ukraine crisis as excuse
"The Ukraine crisis has once again sounded the alarm for the world, security is indivisible. A blind faith in the position of strength, the expansion of military alliance, and the pursuit of one's own security at the expense of the security of other countries will inevitably lead to security dilemma," Xinhua news agency reported quoting Zhang. Zhang noted that NATO's five eastward expansions after the Cold War have not only failed to make Europe securer, but also sowed the seed of conflict, a lesson worth reflecting on.
S.Korea says China's opposition to Yoon's attendance at NATO summit 'lack of courtesy'
Han made the remarks during a dinner meeting with reporters Tuesday as Yoon was in Madrid to attend the NATO summit, Yonhap news agency reported. South Korea is not a member of NATO but was invited to the summit along with Japan, Australia and New Zealand as the organisation's Asia-Pacific partners.
Turkey greenlights Sweden, Finland's NATO bid, internal conflicts remain
After an extended meeting among leaders from the three countries together with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Tuesday afternoon, a trilateral memorandum addressing Turkey's security concerns was agreed and signed, paving the way for the two Nordic states' NATO membership applications, Xinhua news agency reported. "This will strengthen NATO, and it will also strengthen Sweden and Finland", said Stoltenberg, adding that now is the time for the 30 different parliaments to make a decision
NATO to put 300,000 troops on high alert in response to Russia threat
Stoltenberg said the military alliance's forces in the Baltic states and five other frontline countries would be increased "up to brigade levels", doubled or trebled to between 3,000 and 5,000 troops, the Guardian reported. That would amount to "the biggest overhaul of our collective defence and deterrence since the cold war", he said before the meeting of the 30-country alliance, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday this week.
Canada sends 2 ships to enhance NATO readiness in Baltic region
In a statement, the Ministry said HMCS Kingston and Summerside are deployed to contribute to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe, adding that the Canadian Armed Forces is maintaining a presence in European waters on a persistent rotational basis since 2014, reports Xinhua news agency. According to the statement, between July and October 2022, HMCS Kingston and Summerside will join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One.
Turkey's concerns not eased on Finland, Sweden's NATO bid: Erdogan
Recep Tayyip Erdogan told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in a phone call that Finland and Sweden had to take sincere and tangible steps over the harbouring of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Syria's Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) within their borders, reports Xinhua news agency. The President pointed out that the military and industrial sanctions on Turkey should be lifted and not be put back into effect after the accession.
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